The last edition of the ‘Pull List’ pulled some good numbers for me. I guess Godzilla is a big draw. Sadly no giant lizards this week. Instead we have a few follow up issues to series I started reading thanks to this feature. So let's take a look at dogs in prison, burn victims, and moon shiners facing supernatural threats. To the shelves!

First off is "Irwin Allen's Lost in Space The Lost Adventures" #1. It's a hell of a title. This comic is based on two un=produced scripts by Carey Wilber. Wilber was a very prolific script writer in the 60's. He wrote a number of "Lost in Space" episodes and the scripts being adapted here, by Holly Interlandi, would have been episode 85 and 86.

I've never seen Lost in Space, at least that I remember. I know I saw the movie, but the lesa said about that the better (If you get a chance I do recommend watching the nostalgia Critics review here.). So, I have no invested interest, outside of a love on the robot design, in this franchise. I also have no preexisting opinions. I'm going into this completely fresh.

I really enjoyed this first issue. It's the beginning of a good, classic bit of SciFi fun. The setup is that Will, his father, and Don are out setting up radar sites. A meteor appears to land in the distance, but Robot detects an anomaly.

Later, Will encounters a small creature and Robot freaks out. We learn that that there is an, unseen, alien species hanging around. The aliens were under the belief that they were the only intelligent species in the galaxy. Now that they may not be, they are going to do some experimenting.

This leads to a great line. Will awakes in the middle of night as if from a nightmare. But he wasn't dreaming, he had an ominous feeling, he describes it  "Like Something crept inside me. Just for a moment." That line, with the way he is drawn in the panel ( the art is by Kostas Pantoulas) work together to create a very creepy atmosphere.

I really enjoyed this, as I said, the writing and art were both top notch. At first I wasn't sure about the art. There was a stiffness to it. The characters look a bit like mannequins. It's hard to put your finger on at first, but when you see it, it can be distracting. As the issue goes on that becomes less of a problem and a bit of life starts to come through. Other than that one issue, the art is good.

I can't recommend this enough if you like good, simple SciFi. This is now a must read for me.

It's funny how a quality product like "Empress " #1 by Mark Millar and Stuart Immonen can just leave you flat. This book is well written and has impeccable art. The first issue is filled with action and leaves you wondering just what is install for the characters.

The first page let's us know that this story takes place on earth 65 million years ago. It deals with a pre human civilization, the first rulers of our world.

We are introduced to a mad king and learn that he rules with not only an iron fist, but one wrapped in barbwire. His queen, the Empress from the title, wants out. So she, her children,  and her trusty retainer escape.

Towards the end of the issue we learn that the King, before he was King, told the Empress that he never wanted to know anything about her life before she met him. Any name she spoke from her previous life would be killed. So he doesn't know about her sister, who the family is headed to meet.

The idea of a pre human civilization on earth isn't new. It's a tried and true SciFi/Fantasy setting. Still, this one has it's own unique quirks. From the first page you get a Star Wars/Game of Thrones vibe. Which is all well and good. The only problem is I don't care.

The art was good, the writing was good, the set up was good, everything here was Good. And yet nothing about it drew me in. I just wasn't interested or invested. That could just be me. I just might not be in the right place for this story.

I can't say anything bad about it. I also can't recommend it because I didn't enjoy it. So, if you're a fan of Millar check it out. Otherwise skip it, or don't. I don't have much of an opinion on this one either way. I won't be picking up more though. So take that for what it's worth.

Sometimes a title can be deceiving. You see something and think to yourself “Fuck Yeah! That sounds all kinds of Ridiculous. Sign me up!". Then you read it and you realize the tile was more metaphoric than literal. I hate it when that happens.

I expected Grizzly Shark to be a stupid over the top monster flick, ala SYFY original films, which took place at a summer camp on a beach. I didn't get that.

Instead I got a stupid over the top monster flick, ala SYFY original films, which took place in the woods. And I loved every messed up second. It turns out I had read this before, I don't remember it, but i did read it. This is a re-release of a Black and White story from the original Sea Bear & Grizzlyshark comic. That was a one shot that came out years ago.

This one is the beginning of something bigger. Ryan Ottley, who worked on the original, did most of the work here. He is the writer and artist with Ivan Plascencia and Kelsey Shannon on colors.

What's the story here, you ask? Well there's a shark in them there woods. That's really about it. We meet a father and son duo who are camping in the woods. The father is a rancher and knows something is in the woods. His son doesn't believe him.

Until, that is, the shark appears and eats his lower half. I'm not going into too much detail here because half of this books appeal is the crazy, hilarious, violence and sick humor. If you're not sure whether this is to your taste I'm going to help you out.

Above is a page form the comic. Read it. Did you laugh? If you did pick this up. If not move along.

If you're still unsure, well. The writing is sharp with good comedic timing, the art is full of character and energy, and the story is goofy fun. I can't recommend this enough. Must read.

Reading a comic can be a little daunting. There can be so much back-story, so much built up lore that starting at the beginning becomes a huge chore. Then there are times when the comic has a #1 on it, but the characters inside it have so much history that you just know if you read it, you’re going to be spending hours on wikipedia. Goldkey Alliance #1 is like that second example.

It's a comic that stars Turok, Magnus the Robot fighter, Samson, and Solar. I know of three of these characters. I saw an animated Turok movie, never played the games, years ago. I liked it. I've see covers to the old Magnus books, and I know of Samson. I know of him as a biblical character and I think there was a Samson in the Project Superheroes books. I can't be sure about that though. Well, I could look it up, but I don't feel like doing that.

This book introduces all of these characters to us, and does a great job at it, with the purpose of bringing them all together. Phil Hester and Brent Peeples are behind this and despite the fact that I now have to do homework, something I've always hated, I am really into this one.

The comic starts out by introducing Samson, a mad homeless man dressed in animal skins. We see a 50's style street gang trying to take him down. It doesn't work. A pair of cops show up and fire upon Samson. He's wounded but able to escape.

Next we meet Turok. Here Turok is a park ranger, the park is home to dinosaurs, and a reality TV star. There are a few poachers in the Park, but Turok takes care of them quickly.

After that we meet Magnus. He is a government agent tasked with protecting a ranking official. We see him having some banter with his female partner before attacking her. Somehow she was replaced with a robot and Samson, once again somehow, was able to figure that out.

The book then jumps to Africa. This, for me, was the best part of the story. The Solar section had a great atmospheric quality. Solar is a Doctor, a black female doctor, in Africa. She also has some sort of light based ability. We see her use this ability to protect villagers from a warlord. She doesn't have any dialogue but her body language and facial expressions speak volumes.

The issue ends with the street gang, from the Samson story, leaving jail. They were bailed out by, I presume, the villain of the story. A woman named Dr. Terra who wants Samson dead.

The writing here was good and the art was very nice. The main draw for me however are the characters. I know very little of these people and want to see how they interact. There's something about characters with decades of history that I have no clue about, that just peaks my interest.

The only problem, there is always at least one, is that if you are invested with any of these characters you may not appreciate these versions of them. I don't how faithful they are or what parts, if any, of their continuities are being kept.

That makes giving a recommendation a little difficult. If you know nothing of them and want to check out something interesting than do it. If you are a fan and want more of what you love than do it as well. If you are a strident old school fan, well give it a shot. You may like it.  I did. Must Read.

There's going to be a couple of returning titles this week and "The Dark and Bloody" is the first. There is something about this series. A weight to it. It reads heavily. That is to say that the dialogue, subject matter, plot, story, characters, art, every aspect of it sits on you. This isn't something that you just breeze through. Sure it's a quick read, most comics are, but it's not how long it takes to read. It's how much it effects you.

This one effects you. I'm invested. I care. I want to know what's haunting Iris and what the deal with his son's friend is. This is like one of those horror movies, not the ones full of jump scares, the ones that use atmosphere (word of the day) and silence to bring you to the edge of your seat. The setting, buttfuck nowhere or if you prefer small town America by way of Red neck island, helps.

Small town America, those once picturesque towns that are in danger of being swallowed by the dark woods that surround them, is always ripe for evil. The type of evil that begs for capital letters. I'm talking EVIL here. We still don't know what that EVIL, is but I am hooked.

This issue carries the story forward perfectly. We learn more about Iris' time in Iraq and see just what happened to the two moonshine drinkers from the first issue.

Neither of those two things are good. We also a get a bit of action, and meet some new characters.

I can't push this one hard enough. I'm not even a fan of horror but this is just too good. The only, only, thing I could complain about is the art. There are a few times, very few, when the art falls just a hair short of the writing. It's the nit pickiest or nit picks.

If you aren't reading this, start. It's good and still a Must Read.

Every decade there are a few franchises that are forever leaked with that time period. It's a span of time when the world, the world of American children, is ruled by them. In the 80's it was GI Joe, Transformers, Care Bears, My Little Pony, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles time span entered into the 90's, but soon enough they were replaced. One of the main series of the 90's was The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

I'm a tokusatsu fan so I know all about the Zyurangers and the very long ranging history of that property. Most people know about the Japanese roots of the Power Rangers so  I won't go into that.

The Power Rangers were a big part of my life. It was ‘the’ show for me at that time. I fell out of it after the first movie, but before that I was all in. I loved every bit of that silly show. I still do. I've seen most of the modern shows and watch the Japanese versions. Still nothing will take the place of the original.

Mighty Morhpin Power Rangers is a huge property. So big that a new movie, a revamp, is in the works. A picture recently surfaced showing off the new suits. I'm less than induced. I prefer spandex with my rangers, but I'm not here to talk about the movie.

I want to talk about the comic. Boom studies, who seem to make a living out of nostalgia, is producing a new series. It follows the original cast in a more modern world. The series picks up right after Tommy, the Green Ranger, has joined the team. He's still under the influence of Rita Repulsa, but he's fighting, and the team is none the wiser.

In this version of the story Bulk and Skull are fans of the Rangers, which didn't happen in the show until the later season of the Angel Grove shows, and also provide us with exposition. The writing here is actually a little too dry. I was hoping for a little more camp, but I can dig this more serious take.

My problem here is the art. For the most part it's solid. I'm not a huge fan of the style, the Anime/Cartoon influence isn't to my taste, but I can get past that. What bugs me is the artist‘s, Hendry Praserya, use of white to outline certain characters in a few of the panels.

Look at the page above. You see the panel on the lower left side.? The way Zack is outlined in white? I don't like that. I just find it off putting.

The story, by Kyle Higgins, is good. He has a hold on the character's voices and has crafted a fun, well paced story.

If you aren't a fan of the Power Rangers this isn't for you. If you remember watching the show after school then pick this up. I've had this one on the back burner long enough for a second issue to pop up. So I'm not going to give my rating on this until I check out that one.

Issue 2 was a more plot driven affair. Scorpina, who I don't remember, is sent out to attack Tommy. Rita has a crystal that is powered by Chaos energy and she is using Tommy as a power source. This means that not only is Scorpina trying to retrieve the Dinozord Coin, but she is also collecting energy.

Tommy, who was at home, takes the fight outside and is joined by the other Rangers. When the fight is over, the Rangers win, they head to the HQ. During this issue and the last we see that Tommy is tormented by Rita. He sees her when no one else can and she is constantly questioning him, shaking his confidence. All of this takes a toll and he collapses to end the issue.

If you're a Power Rangers fan this is a good series to pick up, but only if you're a fan. There isn't enough here to make someone a fan. This is strictly for those who loved the series and have great memories of it. So for me it's a must read.

The next returning series is "Kennel Block Blues". This is a hell of a series. It's a wild ride that you can't help be get absorbed in. The art is so striking. I'd even call it powerful. There’s something about Ollie’s cartoony view contrasting with the dark story, and then when they (as in this issue) sync in tone it's amazing.

That's how this issue starts. Ollie is in a bad way. He's depressed and his cartoon vision shows that. The color, imagery, even the feel of these bits project a desperateness. It's so vibrant you can't help but feel down looking at it.

The story matches that here. After last issue the dogs have no choice but to accept that the cats are in charge. Sugar wants none of that so she's planning escaping. Ollie and Charlie join up with her. Things go south and Sugar and Ollie end up in the hole.

I can't express how  much I love this book. It's different, like legitimately different. I've never read something like this. I said before that it's a mash up of Oz and Pound Puppies but that's a shallow description. There is so much going on here.

If you read comics, read this. It's too good to pass up. Books like this are why we, comic fans, read funny books. This is the kind of thing you show your buddies, the ones who have never picked up a comic, to let them know just what this medium is capable of. It's a true Must Read.

The last comic I’m going to talk about today happens to also be a return. “American Monster #2” didn't retain as much of my attention as “Kennel Block Blues“. That's not to say this isn't a good comic.

The selling point here is the dialogue and the mystery. There isn't an actual mystery as in the 'Who done it?' sense, but a mystery as to just what the story here is.

We learn a few things in this issue, firstly our star has a SS tattoos on his back, as does the villain. The two are obviously connected. Theodore, the burned man, calls Felix after killing one of his men. Aside from that we meet Felix's daughter.

I have to say I'm starting to get a little cold on this one. I'm not going to drop it but this issue wasn't up to the standard of the 1st. I’ll leave it on the must read but with reservations. If the next issue doesn't pick up I'll be dropping it.

That‘s it for this edition of Pull List. Next week we‘re back to Scooby-Doo.  See you then.

The Pull List.

Must Read.

Atomic Robo (Whenever the new Mini is released.)
Invincible
Chew
Tarot Witch of the Black Rose
American Monster
Pencil Head
Kennel Block Blues
Shaft
The Dark and Bloody
Trespasser
Howard the Duck
Afterburner Tales of the Cool and Wicked
The Hangman
Ghostbusters
Action Lab
Another Castle
Action Cat & Adventure Bug
Bigfoot Sword of the Earthman
Venus
Frankenbabe
The Gingerdead Man
Lost in Space
Goldkey Alliance


Maybe.

Badger
I Mage
Monstress
Replica
Godzilla Oblivion


Back log.

Zombie Tramp
Elephantmen
Hack Slash
Mouse Guard
Project Superpowers
The Goon
Mice Templar
Super Dinosaur
Hero Cats


Pass.

Jonesy
Fake Empire
King’s Road
Rat Queens
Insexts
Devolution
Collapse
Death Rattler
Second Sight
Snow Fall
Wraithborn Redux
Steambusters
Citizen Jack
Johnny Red
Red Fury
Jungle Fantasy:Vixens
Escape From Monster Island
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
Empress

Burnt out.

The Walking Dead.